Briefs

October 25, 2008

COLLEGE SOCCERHanks, Irish march on Kerri Hanks had a goal and an assist to lead the No. 1 Notre Dame women's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Rutgers on Friday night at Alumni Field. Hanks has now scored in 11 straight games to set a school record. She's tied for fifth all-time in NCAA Division I history. The Irish (17-0) also set the mark for the best start in the program's history with the win. Senior Brittany Bock and freshman Melissa Henderson also scored for Notre Dame. COLLEGE FOOTBALLRodriguez signs contract One day before his struggling football team's eighth game of the season, first-year Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez is finally under contract with the school. He signed a six-year deal Friday worth at least $2.5 million annually, an amount that was agreed upon when he left West Virginia in December for Michigan. The signatures of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman and athletic director Bill Martin also were on the document, a copy of which The Associated Press obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. University spokeswoman Kelly Cunningham said there was nothing unusual about the time it took to work out the terms of the agreement. "It typically takes this amount of time to do a contract," she said. The contract calls for Rodriguez to receive a first-year base salary of $300,000 plus $1,650,000 per year for television and radio shows, apparel compensation and promotions. The base salary is subject to increase each year in accordance with the university's salary merit program. Rodriguez also will accrue benefits under a deferred-compensation plan that will cost the university $550,000 annually. He also is eligible to earn one of the following bonuses each year: -$300,000 for winning a national championship or -$200,000 for getting into a Bowl Championship Series game or -$100,000 for getting into a Jan. 1 non-BCS game or -$50,000 for getting into a non-Jan. 1 bowl game. Rodriguez also will receive the free use of two automobiles and, for all home football games beginning in 2010, be provided the use of a private viewing box large enough for eight people. Michigan Stadium is being renovated to add boxes and increase seating capacity. If the university terminates Rodriguez's contract within the first three years, it would pay him $4 million; in year four, $2.5 million; in year five, $2 million; and in year six, up to $1.5 million but not more than the remaining amount he would be owed. Should Rodriguez leave Michigan early to accept another coaching position, he would owe the school similarly. The contract runs through Dec. 31, 2013, and is retroactive to Dec. 19, 2007. PRO BASKETBALLBulls' Rose injured Derrick Rose, the former Memphis star selected first overall in the NBA draft, left the Chicago Bulls' exhibition finale against Milwaukee because of a hip injury Friday night. Rose sustained a right hip flexor injury midway through the first quarter. He left the United Center court and did not return to action. The guard was on the bench in the second half, but further reports on the extent of his injury were not immediately available. The Bulls' No. 2 leading scorer in seven exhibition games with a 14.9 average, Rose started his sixth game for Chicago and scored seven points before leaving with 6:41 left in the first quarter. Three other Chicago players were out with injuries Friday, including leading scorer Ben Gordon (jammed left big toe), guard Larry Hughes (dislocated shoulder) and forward Luol Deng (sore right toe). Forward Tyrus Thomas (sore right ankle) played Friday. Authorities called to Isiah Thomas' home Authorities were called to the home of former New York Knicks coach and Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas, where police said a 47-year-old man was taken to the hospital and treated for an accidental overdose of sleeping pills early Friday morning. Police would not identify the man, except to give his age. But reached on his cell phone the 47-year-old Thomas told the New York Post he had not been treated for a sleeping pill overdose, and that it was his 17-year-old daughter Lauren who had a medical issue. It "wasn't an overdose," he told the newspaper. "My daughter is very down right now. None of us are OK." Harrison Police Chief David Hall said the case was not a suicide attempt. "We're classifying it as an accidental overdose of prescription sleeping pills," Hall said. "I'm not going to confirm or deny that it was Isiah Thomas. It was an individual at his home." He told The Daily News that the man took about 10 Lunesta sleeping pills. "He was unconscious, but breathing on his own," Hall told the paper. Thomas' 20-year-old son Joshua also said it was his sister, not his father, who required treatment. "He's fine," the Indiana University student told the Daily News. "Reports of sleeping pills are false." COLLEGE GOLFPark leads Irish women The Notre Dame women?245-185?s golf team shot a 38-over (326) in Friday's first round of the 2008 Landfall Tradition tournament, hosted by UNC Wilmington. Sophomore So-Hyun Park led the Irish, shooting a 7-over 79 at the 6,117-yard Jack Nicklaus Pines Course of the Country Club of Landfall. Park, who opened the first round with six consecutive pars, and the Irish are in 11th place. Sophomore Katie Conway and freshman Becca Huffer both shot 82s. Their 10-over par scores put them in a tie for 41st place. The Landfall Tradition Wilmington, N.C. Par 72, 6,117 YardsTOP 5 TEAM SCORES (18-HOLE TOTALS): 1. WAKE FOREST (297), 2. OHIO STATE (303), 3. NORTH CAROLINA (305), 4. FLORIDA (307), 5. NORTHWESTERN (308). Top-Five Golfers (18-hole totals): 1. Natalie Sheary (Wake Forest/E), t2. Kelsey Lindenschmidt (Northwestern/+1), t2. Vicky Villanueva (Ohio State/+1), t4. Evan Jensen (Florida/+2), t4. Amber Littman (East Carolina/+2), t4. Emily Street (NC State/+2), t4. Andrea Watts (Florida/+2). Notre Dame Scores (18-hole totals): t19. So-Hyun Park (79), t.39 Katie Conway (82), t.39 Becca Huffer (82), t.44 Annie Brophy (83), 59. Lisa Maunu (89). COLLEGE TRACKMillar promoted at ND John Millar has been promoted to associate track and field coach, Irish head coach Joe Piane announced Friday. Millar is entering his 18th season at Notre Dame, a tenure which included serving as the speed coach for all Notre Dame athletic teams for several years.